File photo of Home Minister Rajnath Singh
On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre said it wants a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue and was even willing to have a dialogue under the ambit of "insaniyat" (humanity) to address it.
"We want to find a permanent solution," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Rajya Sabha. "We are ready for any kind of dialogue within the Constitutional framework. If necessary, we are even willing to hold dialogue within the framework of 'insaniyat'."
Touching on the issue while replying to a debate on the functioning of the Home Ministry, Mr Singh also sought the cooperation of the Opposition Congress in the matter if "it could help in any way".
"We will not use any agent. We will do everything to resolve the issue with the active cooperation of the state government," the Home Minister said.
But India, he said, also wants to have good relations with Pakistan and is ready to hold talks to end the problem of infiltration.
Regarding demands for revocation of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, he said there was "no consensus" on it.
The NDA government has been treading cautiously on the Kashmir issue. Earlier, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had said the Kashmir issue is sensitive and the Centre will do everything in national interest.
A special package has been announced for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri pandits in the Union budget.